Marlins close series with Royals

Dominican veteran Ervin Santana goes for a fourth consecutive victory on Wednesday afternoon when the Kansas City Royals host the Miami Marlins in the finale of a three-game series at Kauffman Stadium.

The 30-year-old right-hander was 5-6 on the season after a July 11 loss to the New York Yankees, but he's since won three times in five starts to improve his record to 8-6.

He defeated Detroit with 7 1/3 innings of scoreless ball on July 19, allowed two runs in seven innings of a 7-2 win over Minnesota and gave up a single run in six innings while topping the New York Mets, 6-2.

His one start since beating the Mets resulted in a no-decision against Boston in a game the Royals ultimately won, 9-6.

Jackson is 0-2 against the Marlins in two career starts and has been tagged for nine runs on 13 hits in 7 2/3 innings.

He's opposed by Miami righty Jacob Turner, who'll make an eighth try for a first road victory of the season.

The 22-year-old is 0-4 in seven previous starts away from home while allowing 39 hits and 17 runs in 40 innings.

He dropped a 5-0 verdict at Atlanta in his most recent start on Aug. 9 after allowing four earned runs on five hits in five innings.

The Marlins are 3-7 in his last 10 starts and have won five of his 13 overall starts.

On Tuesday, Christian Yelich delivered the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th inning and the Marlins pulled out a victory over the Royals, taking a 1-0 decision that was highlighted by a pitching duel between Jose Fernandez and Bruce Chen.

Fernandez gave Miami seven innings of three-hit ball and Chen matched that line for Kansas City, with both hurlers fanning six and giving way to bullpens that kept the shutout intact until the 10th inning.

The Royals put the go-ahead run on base when Kelvin Herrera (4-6) plunked Jake Marisnick to start the final frame. Marisnick then swiped second on a Jeff Mathis strikeout and came home on Yelich's slow roller through the right side to break the scoreless tie.

Chad Qualls (3-1) got the last two outs of the ninth and Steve Cishek pitched the 10th to pick up his 25th save.

The Royals, losing for just the fourth time in their last 21 games, had only four hits for the game.

The Royals led the all-time series, 5-4, entering this week, after winning two of three in series in both 2008 and 2007. The Marlins won two of three the first time the teams met in 2002.